Morecambe thrash Cheltenham

Posted Tuesday, April 23, 2019 by PA

Morecambe crushed Cheltenham 4-0 with a fine display at the Globe Arena.

Four second half goals gave the dominant Shrimps the points and their victory could have been by a greater margin had they shown a more clinical touch in the first half.

Morecambe had the better of the first half and missed a golden chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute. Vadaine Oliver was tripped by Matt Bower in the box but Aaron Collins saw his effort saved by the feet of Robins’ keeper Scott Flinders.

The home side continued to look the more threatening with Aaron Wildig missing two great opportunities for the home side. His first came as he fired over from close range after being teed up perfectly by Collins before then seeing a shot cleared off the line by Charlie Raglan after being found in the box by Piero Mingoia.

Cheltenham’s only offer of note came from George Lloyd who drilled a shot from outside the box well over the bar.

The second half was one way traffic once Oliver game the Shrimps a 49th minute lead when he got in behind the Cheltenham defender before slotting the ball under the onrushing Flinders.

Four minutes later the home side doubled their advantage from a corner. Mingoia delivered the ball into the box and veteran Kevin Ellison was unmarked to head past Flinders from six yards out.

Cheltenham responded briefly with Luke Varney heading inches wide before the Shrimps made it 3-0 from another corner as Defender Sam Lavelle ghosted in at the far post to head Liam Mandeville’s corner past a crowd of bodies on the line from close range.

Jim Bentley’s side capped off a fine display with a fourth three minutes from time when Cheltenham were undone again by another long ball and Collins made amends for this penalty miss with a cool lob over the helpless Flinders from 12 yards to cap off a memorable afternoon for the home side.